20 Cozy Games That Are Good for Your Mental Health

About this gallery:

For this list, we focused on those games that are ideal after a hard day at work, a bad breakup, or any situation that has you feeling overwhelmed. We wanted to focus on more than one type of gameplay, as many of the games with the “cozy” label tend to be about farming.

Do you think we missed an essential game that should be on this list? Mention it in the comments!

Unpacking (2021)

Unpacking is the ultimate chill game that turns moving into a surprisingly therapeutic experience. Yes, you read that right – a game about moving that doesn’t involve back pain or lost socks. Instead of the chaos we associate with real-life packing tape, this game lets you methodically place books, clothes, and little trinkets into their new homes while uncovering the life story of an unseen character. There’s no timer, no pressure – just the satisfying click of an item finding its perfect spot. Who knew organizing virtual shelves could be so deeply fulfilling? It’s basically digital zen. | © Witch Beam

Beacon Pines (2022)

If Stranger Things and a cozy storybook had a baby, it’d be Beacon Pines. This narrative-driven adventure wraps you in a warm, nostalgic blanket... with just a hint of eerie mystery. You play as both the narrator and the adorable main character, Luka, exploring a small town with big secrets. The twist? You literally change the story by swapping out words like puzzle pieces. It’s charming, heartfelt, and just the right amount of spooky – perfect for when you want to feel cozy and curious. | © Hiding Spot

Euro Truck Simulator 2 (2012)

Yes, Euro Truck Simulator 2 is cozy – don’t fight me on this. There’s something oddly meditative about cruising through the European countryside, hauling virtual cargo while listening to chill playlists (or pretending you’re the star of an indie road trip film). No high-stakes action, no stress – just you, your trusty truck, and endless highways. It’s like therapy, but with better scenery and fewer awkward silences. Plus, you can practice your parking skills without the judgment of real-life pedestrians. | © SCS Software

Spiritfarer (2020)

Spiritfarer is a cozy game about... death. But hear me out – it’s not as grim as it sounds. In fact, it’s one of the most beautiful, heartfelt games you’ll ever play. You take on the role of Stella, a “Spiritfarer” who helps adorable, anthropomorphic spirits transition to the afterlife. Along the way, you’ll build a boat, make friends, cook meals, and reflect on the meaning of life – all wrapped in stunning hand-drawn art and soothing gameplay. It’s like a warm hug for your soul, with just enough bittersweetness to make you tear up (in a good way). | © Thunder Lotus Games

Cozy Grove (2021)

Cozy Grove is what happens when Animal Crossing meets Ghostbusters – if the ghosts were friendly and just needed a little emotional support. As a Spirit Scout, you’re sent to an ever-changing, enchanted island inhabited by ghostly bears (yes, really). You spend your days fishing, crafting, and helping these spectral creatures find peace. The game’s real-time mechanics encourage you to play in small, relaxing doses, making it the perfect daily unwind ritual. Plus, the art style is so charming it’s basically a serotonin boost in game form. | © Spry Fox

PowerWash Simulator (2022)

PowerWash Simulator is proof that sometimes, all you need to achieve inner peace is a high-powered hose and a really dirty driveway. This game turns the oddly satisfying act of pressure washing into a full-on therapeutic experience. There are no timers, no stressful objectives – just you, your trusty power washer, and a whole lot of grime to blast away. Watching the dirt peel off in perfect streaks is like ASMR for your eyes. Who knew cleaning could be so relaxing when it’s virtual and doesn’t involve actual sweat? | © FuturLab

Bear and Breakfast (2022)

In Bear and Breakfast, you play as Hank, an entrepreneurial bear with a dream: running a cozy bed and breakfast in the woods. Yes, it’s exactly as adorable as it sounds. You’ll renovate cabins, decorate rooms, and manage quirky guests – all while unraveling a charming little mystery hidden beneath the forest’s friendly facade. It’s part management sim, part wholesome adventure, and 100% the kind of game that feels like a warm cup of tea. Plus, who doesn’t want to play as a bear in business casual? | © Gummy Cat

Wylde Flowers (2022)

Wylde Flowers is like your favorite feel-good TV show in game form, with a sprinkle of witchy magic on top. You play as Tara, who moves to a quaint island to help with her family’s farm – only to discover she’s part of a coven. Farming by day, spell-casting by night? Sign me up. The game blends cozy life-sim mechanics with a heartwarming story about self-discovery, friendship, and, well... casual sorcery. It’s like Stardew Valley had a magical glow-up, and it’s perfect for when you need a little escapism with a side of enchantment. | © Studio Drydock

Kind Words (2019)

Kind Words is less of a game and more of a beautiful, wholesome social experiment. The entire premise? Writing and receiving anonymous, heartfelt letters from real people around the world. That’s it. No quests, no levels – just genuine human connection wrapped in a cozy lo-fi soundtrack. Whether you’re offering words of encouragement or reading notes that feel like digital hugs, it’s a reminder that kindness is a powerful thing. It’s like therapy, but free, judgment-free, and with way more virtual stickers. | © Popcannibal

Dorfromantik (2021)

Dorfromantik is the digital equivalent of sipping hot cocoa on a rainy day. It’s a peaceful tile-placement game where you build idyllic landscapes filled with rivers, forests, and tiny villages – all at your own pace. There’s no rush, no enemies, and no stress – just the satisfying click of tiles fitting together like puzzle pieces. Watching your little world come to life is pure zen, and the minimalist art style feels like a breath of fresh countryside air. It’s the kind of game that makes you go, “Ahhh,” in the best possible way. | © Toukana Interactive

Slime Rancher 2 (2022)

Slime Rancher 2 is basically what happens when you mix farming with an explosion of colorful, bouncy blobs of pure joy. You play as Beatrix LeBeau, a slime wrangler exploring vibrant new lands filled with adorable, wiggly creatures that look like living jelly beans. The goal? Collect, feed, and occasionally vacuum these slimes into your trusty gadget, all while building the ultimate slime ranch. It’s ridiculously cute, oddly addictive, and the kind of game where your biggest stress is making sure your slimes don’t escape... which, honestly, is the most wholesome problem to have. | © Monomi Park

Crime Scene Cleaner (Serial Cleaners) (2022)

Now, Crime Scene Cleaner might sound like the opposite of cozy, but hear me out – it’s oddly satisfying. Instead of solving crimes, you’re the person who cleans them up, sneaking around crime scenes, scrubbing away evidence, and making everything look spotless. It’s part stealth, part puzzle, and somehow therapeutic. There’s a strange comfort in turning chaos into order, even if the chaos involves, well... less-than-legal activities. Just think of it as Marie Kondo for crime scenes – if it doesn’t spark joy, mop it up. | © Draw Distance

Rusty's Retirement (2023)

Rusty’s Retirement is like having a chill little farm running on autopilot while you go about your day. You manage a peaceful farm tended by cute robots, growing crops, harvesting resources, and upgrading your setup – all with minimal fuss. It’s designed to be a background game, meaning you can play it while working or relaxing without feeling like you’re missing out. It’s the perfect blend of cozy and productive, like having a tiny, stress-free farm manager living rent-free on your screen. | © Mister Morris Games

Tiny Glade (2024)

Tiny Glade it’s shaping up to be the ultimate cozy game for people who just want to build pretty things without worrying about stats or strategy. There’s no goal, no pressure – just pure, creative freedom to design dreamy little glades with winding paths, mossy walls, and charming arches. It’s like doodling with digital bricks, perfect for when you just want to relax, let your imagination flow, and create something beautiful without a single worry. | © Pounce Light

Mini Motorways (2019)

Mini Motorways is a minimalist masterpiece where you design traffic systems to keep tiny cities running smoothly. Yes, it’s a game about managing traffic, but stay with me – it’s surprisingly zen. Watching cars flow effortlessly through your carefully crafted roadways is weirdly satisfying. And when things get chaotic? It’s still low-stress, thanks to its soothing color palette and calming soundtrack. It’s like solving a living, breathing puzzle, one roundabout at a time. Who knew traffic could be relaxing when you’re not the one stuck in it? | © Dinosaur Polo Club

A Short Hike (2019)

A Short Hike is exactly what it sounds like – a brief, delightful adventure where you play as a little bird named Claire, hiking up a mountain to get cellphone reception. But it’s not really about the destination; it’s about the charming journey along the way. You’ll meet quirky characters, collect treasures, and glide through the air with the freedom only a tiny bird could know. It’s cozy, wholesome, and packed with the kind of gentle exploration that feels like a warm hug in game form. Plus, no bug spray required. | © Adamgryu

Fields of Mistria (2024)

Fields of Mistria is the cozy farming-sim we didn’t know we needed – think Stardew Valley but with a dash of magic and adventure sprinkled in. While the game isn’t out yet, it promises everything we love: farming, crafting, befriending townsfolk, and uncovering ancient secrets hidden in lush, colorful landscapes. Whether you’re harvesting crops or exploring mysterious ruins, it’s shaping up to be the perfect blend of relaxation and intrigue. Basically, it’s like someone took a cozy blanket, sprinkled some fantasy dust on it, and turned it into a game. | © NPC Studio

Dave the Diver (2023)

Dave the Diver is what happens when a deep-sea diving adventure meets sushi restaurant management – and somehow, it’s the coziest combo ever. You play as Dave, an affable diver who spends his days exploring colorful underwater worlds, catching fish, and his nights running a bustling sushi bar. The gameplay is a perfect balance of action-packed dives and chill management sim vibes, wrapped in a charming pixel art style. It’s like living your best ocean life without worrying about sunburn or jellyfish stings. | © MINTROCKET

Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020)

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the undisputed king of cozy games, and for good reason. You move to a deserted island, build your dream home, befriend adorable animal neighbors, and spend your days fishing, gardening, and decorating to your heart’s content. There’s no rush, no stress – just pure, wholesome vibes. Whether you’re meticulously arranging your furniture or chasing bugs with a net, it’s the kind of game that makes you forget about real-world worries. It’s like an eternal vacation, but with way cuter friends. | © Nintendo

Stardew Valley (2016)

Stardew Valley is the ultimate “just one more day” game, where you start with a rundown farm and somehow end up with a thriving empire, a loving spouse, and a suspicious amount of chickens. It’s part farming sim, part life simulator, and 100% cozy. Whether you’re growing crops, mining for rare gems, or wooing the town’s eligible bachelors and bachelorettes, there’s always something peaceful and satisfying to do. It’s the perfect escape for when you just want to slow down, plant some parsnips, and live your best pixelated life. | © ConcernedApe